Community responds in wake of hate crime

March 2 - As hordes of community members, bound not by sexual orientation but by compassion, marched past Silent Sam on their way to Franklin Street, they sent a message that they - unlike the statue - will not remain silent.

Once the crowd reached its destination, the site of Friday's hate crime, hundreds of candles lined the street, each one signifying a glimmer of hope that the assault would lead to much-needed change.

Amid supporters stood junior Thomas Stockwell, the victim of the attack.

Humbled by the hundreds of people who came to show solidarity, Stockwell said afterward that he was compelled to speak when some media outlets released his name.

"I didn't want to be portrayed in a certain way because I hadn't been talking," he said. "I didn't want to come across as victim because that's not what I am."

His identity revealed, Stockwell imparted his version of the attack.

"It was unprovoked, and I did fight back," he said. "There's only so long that you can fight off a pack of wolves."

Stockwell was walking near 100 E. Franklin Street at 2:04 a.m. when six to seven men began making derogatory remarks about the student's sexual orientation while walking behind him, Chapel Hill police spokeswoman Jane Cousins said.

The group of men then began attacking him, hitting and kicking him in the face, upper torso and all over his body, Cousins said.

The individuals were calling him derogatory names throughout the incident, Cousins said.

Members of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender-Straight Alliance, as well as Amnesty International, organized Tuesday's speak-out event.

The event began in the Pit, as University administrators, town officials, student leaders and other public officials stood united.

Chancellor James Moeser was the first to deliver prepared remarks affirming the University's commitment to tolerance.

He said the response to the attack reminds him of how the people of Copenhagen, Denmark, accepted Jewish people in desperate times during the Nazi regime.

The theme of togetherness came up several times during the evening, as speakers encouraged audience members to realize that, combined, they might be able to change the state's hate crime statues, which do not include attacks related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Event organizers circulated petitions to change the N.C. law and to create a nondiscrimination policy at all UNC-system schools.

Town Council member Mark Kleinschmidt, who is openly gay, said many have expressed concerns about the attack.

"Without exception, they all say something like 'I'm so shocked it's Chapel Hill. We're so tolerant here,'" he said. "And I ask them where the hell they think they are."

Event organizers said they were overwhelmed by the number of participants in the event, which they had only two days to plan.

David Ruskey, an executive board member of the GLBTSA, said that the group originally gathered 100 candles but that members soon realized that that was a gross underestimate.

"The size of this crowd and the unity displayed - has surpassed all expectations."

 

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.